This is for those of you who love chemistry! The salt water system cell, by electrolysis, produces sodium hypochlorite (NaOCI). In water, sodium hypochlorite dissociates into sodium (Na+) and hypochlorite (OCI-) ions. It is the hypochlorite ions that form with the hydrogen (H+) ions (from the water) to form hypochlorous acid (HOCI), the active agent that destroys bacteria and algae, and oxidizes organic matter.